BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (11/7/2025) – Junior defenseman Dylan Ray netted the overtime game-winner as the Nichols College men's ice hockey team defeated Rivier University 4-3 in their home opener at the Levy Rink.
 
The victory moves Nichols to 1-2-0 (0-0-0 CNE) on the season, while Rivier falls to 0-3-0.
 
The Bison jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period thanks to a power-play goal from Alexis Trudeau at 14:24 with assists from Dylan Ray and Aaron Hamel. That power-play goal would give Alexis Trudeau his first collegiate goal of his career. Goaltender Liam Choquette made 11 saves on the 11 shots faced in the period.
 
14:03 into the second period, Nick Brennan doubled the advantage through another power-play goal, this time assisted by CJ Zezima and Luca Ricci. This was also Nick Brennan's first collegiate goal. This 2-0 lead carried into the third period.
 
Rivier stormed back in the third, scoring three straight goals in just over three minutes to take advantage of the 5 minute major penalty on Herman Asberg and give the Raiders a 3-2 lead. The goals were from Payton Kender, Damon Kiyawasew, and Mason Rudrud, which gave the Raiders their first lead of the night. Nichols responded quickly as Tristan Kimmen capitalized on the power play at 11:53, finishing a setup from Ricci and Zezima to tie the game at three.
 
In overtime, Dylan Ray buried his first goal of the season just 2:29 into overtime off a feed from Hamel, sealing the Bison's first victory of the year.
 
Choquette earned the win with 23 saves on 26 shots, while Nichols outshot Rivier 57-29 and went 3-for-5 on the power play. The Bison also won 45 of 73 faceoffs.
 
Hamel, Ricci, and Zezima each had multi-point games, all providing two assists on the night.
 
The men's ice hockey team is back at the Levy Rink tomorrow for a 5:40 game against Roger Williams University to open their Conference of New England campaign.